According to the Telegram channel Severny Veter, Russian forces have reportedly created an encirclement in the Volchansk area of the Kharkov direction, trapping a Ukrainian group estimated at around 2,000 troops.
The channel claims that after heavy fighting, Russian units took control of Vasilyevka, Blagodatnoye, Dolzhanka and Sliznevo. It also reported that assault groups from the 126th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 71st Guards Motorized Rifle Division of the Sever group of forces pushed Ukrainian troops from the 1st Battalion of the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade out of Vasilyevka and Blagodatnoye.
According to the authors, the Ukrainian command may now attempt to break the encirclement by committing available forces in the Kharkov sector and increasing the use of drone units.
Severny Veter also said fighting is continuing in the border areas of the Kharkov Region. The channel recalled that Russian forces had taken Kazachya Lopan the previous day. It noted that clashes in this sector had continued for several months and that, after taking Shevchenko and Granov, Russian units were able to advance farther south.
The authors argue that further movement along the Kharkov Region border could improve Russia’s ability to detect Ukrainian drones heading toward Belgorod. At the same time, they consider a direct offensive on Kharkov unnecessary under the current conditions, saying the development of unmanned systems already allows Russian forces to strike targets in the city.